LIGHT GENERATOR SYSTEMS AND METHODS

• US 20110241549A1
• Filed: 03/31/2011
• Published: 10/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ATS Automation Tooling Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: ATS Automation Tooling Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: WOOTTON, Gerald R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,686,644 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 315/117
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/006 Solar simulators, e.g. for testing photovoltaic panels
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 13/04 the elements being reflectors and refractors for vehicle rear lights F21S43/40
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/51 using condensation or evaporation of a fluid, e.g. heat pipes
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/60 characterised by the use of a forced flow of gas, e.g. air
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/74 with fins or blades
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/04 Optical design
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/048 with facets structure
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/33 annular
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/10 comprising a two-dimensional array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/12 characterised by the geometrical disposition of the light-generating elements, e.g. arranging light-generating elements in differing patterns or densities
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2107/90 on two opposite sides of supports or substrates
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/08 Arrangements of light sources specially adapted for photometry standard sources, also using luminescent or radioactive material
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/0028 refractive and reflective surfaces, e.g. non-imaging catadioptric systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/0066 in the form of an LED array
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/644 in intimate contact or integrated with parts of the device other than the semiconductor body
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/648 the elements comprising fluids, e.g. heat-pipes
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/20 Controlling the colour of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/22 using optical feedback
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/28 using temperature feedback
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/3725 : Switched mode power supply [SMPS]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/30 : Semiconductor lamps, e.g. solid state lamps [SSL] light emitting diodes [LED] or organic LED [OLED]

Abstract

A light generating system comprising: a plurality of solid state emitters (SSEs) and a stability control system for controlling the spectral stability of the SSEs. In a particular case, the stability control system may comprise: a power regulator to regulate power supplied to a sub-set of the plurality of SSEs; a constant current circuit connected to the power regulator to provide a constant current to the sub-set of SSEs; a current regulation set point connected to the constant current circuit; and a controller configured to set the regulation set point based on metrology relating to the state of the SSEs.

Claims

1. A light generating system comprising:

a plurality of solid state emitters (SSEs);

a stability control system for controlling the spectral stability of the SSEs.

2. The light generator system of claim 1, wherein the stability control system comprises:

a power regulator to regulate power supplied to a sub-set of the plurality of SSEs;

a constant current circuit connected to the power regulator to provide a constant current to the sub-set of SSEs;

a current regulation set point connected to the constant current circuit; and

a controller configured to set the regulation set point based on metrology relating to the state of the SSEs.

3. The light generator system of claim 2, wherein the stability control system further comprises:

a junction voltage monitor that senses the voltage for at least one junction of the sub-set of SSEs and provides metrology data to the controller for adjusting the regulation set point.

4. The light generator system of claim 2, wherein the stability control system further comprises:

a temperature sensor that senses the temperature of at least one junction of the sub-set of SSEs and provides metrology data to the controller for adjusting the regulation set point.

5. The light generator system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of SSEs comprise an encapsulant and the light generator system further comprises:

a thermal management system configured to cool at least one of the encapsulant and the at least one solid state emitter.

6. The light generator system of claim 5, wherein the thermal management system comprises a gas cooling system comprising:

a gas delivery system; and

a gas jet configured to receive gas from the gas delivery system and direct it over the encapsulant.

7. A solid state emitter element comprising:

at least one solid state emitter;

an encapsulant covering the at least one solid state emitter; and

a thermal management system configured to cool at least one of the encapsulant and the at least one solid state emitter.

8. The solid state emitter element of claim 7, wherein the thermal management system comprises a first thermal management system configured to cool the encapsulant and a second thermal management system configured to cool the at least one solid state emitter.

9. The solid state emitter element of claim 7, wherein the thermal management system comprises a gas cooling system comprising:

a gas delivery system; and

a gas jet configured to receive gas from the gas delivery system and direct it over the encapsulant.

10. The solid state emitter element of claim 9, wherein the gas jet comprises an airfoil to provide gas flow with the Coanda effect.

11. A solid state emitter module comprising:

a plurality of solid state emitter elements;

a plurality of optical elements; and

a support structure,

wherein the support structure is configured such that each solid state emitter element is oriented perpendicular to the intended direction of light emission and the plurality of optical elements are configured to direct light from each solid state emitter element in the intended direction of light emission.

12. A solid state emitter module comprising:

a plurality of solid state emitter elements;

a plurality of optical elements; and

a support structure,

wherein the support structure is configured such that each solid state emitter element is oriented planar to the intended direction of light emission and the plurality of optical elements are configured to direct light from each solid state emitter element in the intended direction of light emission.

13. A solid state emitter module comprising:

a plurality of solid state emitter elements; and

a support structure for supporting the plurality of solid state emitter elements in a substantially radial grouping;

wherein the support structure is configured such that each solid state emitter element is positioned at a side of the radial grouping.

14. The solid state emitter module of claim 13, wherein the solid state emitters are arranged in clusters at the side of the radial grouping.

15. The solid state emitter module of claim 13, wherein the support structure incorporates optical elements.

16. The solid state emitter module of claim 13, wherein the support structure incorporates air passages for the distribution of cooling air to the optical elements.

17. The solid state emitter module of claim 13, wherein the support structure may have a multiplicity of facets, at least 3, and up to at least 16 facets.

18. The solid state emitter module of claim 13, wherein the support structure incorporates pluggable electrical and pneumatic connections.

19. The solid state emitter module of claim 13, further comprising a light sensor and wherein the support structure is configured such that the light sensor is positioned at a central point of the radial arrangement.

20. The solid state emitter module of claim 13, wherein the support structure is configured such that each solid state emitter element is oriented perpendicular to the intended direction of light emission and a plurality of optical elements are configured to direct light from each solid state emitter element in the intended direction of light emission.

21. The solid state emitter module of claim 13, wherein the support structure is configured such that each solid state emitter element is oriented planar to the intended direction of light emission and a plurality of optical elements are configured to direct light from each solid state emitter element in the intended direction of light emission.

22. The solid state emitter module of claim 21, wherein the plurality of optical elements may be combined into a monolithic element.

23. The solid state emitter module of claim 22, wherein the plurality of optical elements may also include optical elements for optical sensors.

28. The solid state emitter module of claim 19 wherein the optical sensor is an intensity sensor, a color sensor, a reference cell or a traceable reference cell which may further be a single element, line or array sensor.

24. A light generating system comprising:

a plurality of solid state emitter elements;

a barrier for dividing the plurality of solid state emitter elements into one or more regions.

25. The light generating system of claim 24, wherein the barrier comprises a reflective wall arranged substantially perpendicular to a plane of the solid state emitter elements and having a predetermined length and having a predetermined taper from the plane of the solid state emitter elements over the length of the reflective barrier.

26. The light generating system of claim 24, wherein the one or more regions comprises all of the plurality of solid state emitter elements such that the barrier is an edge barrier around a module formed of solid state emitter elements.

27. The light generating system of claim 24, wherein the one or more regions are independently controlled.